Telford Balloon Fiesta 2026: All you need to know

Telford's annual Balloon Fiesta is returning this August Bank Holiday weekend.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the QEII Arena in Telford Town Park after last year's record-breaking 50,000 attendance for the three-day event.

The weekend gets under way with live entertainment, including musical performances and family-friendly activities, in the lead up to the moment the balloons are illuminated for the first time at Friday's Night Glow.

Tickets are already sold out for the event, however the fiesta is free and open to all on Saturday and Sunday, so here is everything else you can get involved in and all you need to know ahead of lift-off.

If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket to Friday's Night Glow, the gates to the QEII Arena in the town park open at 17:00 BST.

There will be live performances, including Mr Motivator and The Boardroom Cafe Science Show, from when the gates open all the way through until 21:30 when the Night Glow begins and the balloons light up the evening sky.

For anyone attending on Saturday and Sunday, the gates open at 12:00 with a jam-packed schedule running until 19:30 each day.

By car: The closest car parks to the arena include Southwater Multi-Storey on Northfield Street, Cherry Pink car park on New Street and The Centre Car Park on St Quentin Gate. Taxi drop-off points are also available near Telford Ice Rink.

By train: Telford Central railway station is a 10-minute walk from Telford Town Park, with direct services to Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, with connections to other destinations from there.

By bus: The town's bus station is only a five-minute walk from the arena.

Telford and Wrekin Council said the £2 adult single fare and free travel for children under 16 will continue to apply on journeys to the fiesta.

Additional evening bus services will also operate from Telford Bus Station after the Friday Night Glow event.

These additional services will be free of charge and some will depart before the end of the event.

If you are a Telford resident or happen to be visiting over the weekend, here is when to look up.

The balloon flights are scheduled to take off at 06:00 BST and 18:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

However, it all depends on the weather conditions.

The flight director will make the final decision as to whether it is safe for the balloons to take to the skies at each scheduled lift-off.

Any announcements will be made online and on the main stage 10 minutes prior to the planned launch.

Telford and Wrekin Council which runs the event have said people are welcome to bring their own picnics as well as chairs.

However certain items are prohibited, including barbecues, glass and alcoholic drinks.

The organisers have requested that visitors take rubbish home with them and leave no trace in the park.

Food vendors will also be on the site.

• Mr Motivator takes to the stage at 19:30 BST on Friday

• The Wings Parachute Team will perform a live jump and drop into the arena to officially open the fiesta on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00

• Live music from local artists and stunt displays from Madness Events

• Live balloon tethering throughout both days, depending on weather conditions

• A community carnival showcasing a range of performances and community groups from across the borough, including Bulgarian Folk Dancers and Kalli Drummers, as well as a procession through Southwater from 12:30 on Sunday

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